The quietest little creature on Earth just made the loudest noise… and the world is finally listening. This might change the future of pangolins!

Global (30 April 2025) – The tides may finally be turning for Pangolins, often referred to as one of the most exploited creatures on Earth.

In a move that’s sending waves through conservation communities, China has announced that it will remove Guilingji, a traditional medicine containing pangolin ingredients, from its official 2025 Pharmacopoeia. The decision, confirmed in the revised edition released on the 25th of March, signals a significant step forward in wildlife protection and aligns with a growing global push to end the use of endangered animals in medicine.

And the news couldn’t have come at a more poetic time.

Just as China makes headlines for moving away from pangolin-based remedies, a breathtaking South African documentary is climbing the Netflix charts. Kulu: The Pangolin’s Journey (now in the global top 10) follows the tender and courageous path of a rescued pangolin being nursed back to health and returned to the wild. The film is beautiful. Heart-wrenching. Hopeful. And utterly unforgettable. It tells the story of these shy, scale-covered animals, often called the real-life dragons of the natural world, and the humans fighting for their survival.

And suddenly, the world is listening.

Pangolins are currently the most trafficked mammals on the planet. Poached for their scales (wrongly believed to have healing properties) and meat (considered a delicacy in some parts of Asia), they’ve suffered silently for decades. Despite international bans and increasing legal protections, demand for their body parts has continued, especially in traditional medicine markets. Guilingji, a widely known Chinese remedy that included red ginseng, deer antler, seahorse and pangolin, has long been controversial. First listed as a national secret prescription in 1957, it’s held symbolic value in the world of Traditional Chinese Medicine. But that status has now changed. While it doesn’t amount to a total ban, the removal from the Pharmacopoeia – China’s official reference for safe, standardised medical treatments – makes it harder to promote, prescribe, or legitimise its use.

According to experts, the shift reflects a growing awareness of ethical medicine and sustainable health practices. Animal-based products without proven medical value are slowly being phased out in favour of plant-based alternatives, particularly when those ingredients come at a high cost to biodiversity and species survival.

For pangolins, this move, paired with the momentum of the Netflix documentary,  could be a massive catalyst for change. Conservationists have been shouting into what may feel like a void for years, fighting for a species most people had never even heard of. But now, the world is paying attention. Millions of people are watching. And one of the most powerful nations on Earth is rewriting tradition with compassion at its core.

This is progress. Slow. Hard-won. But deeply meaningful.

Because when we choose empathy over exploitation, and understanding over outdated beliefs, we do more than protect a single species, we remind ourselves what kind of world we’re capable of creating.

Sources: Trade and Industry Development | World Animal Protection | Pangolin: Kulu’s journey 

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We’re all at the edge of our seats waiting for ‘Pangolin: Kulu’s Journey’ (directed by the same powerhouse who brought us ‘My Octopus Teacher’) to air. In the meantime, the trailer has been revealed, and you won’t want to miss it!

Global (03 April 2025) — We’re all waiting with bated breath until 21 April arrives and ‘Pangolin: Kulu’s Journey’ hits screens on Netflix.

The documentary, directed by the legend Pippa Ehrlich (who also gave us the Oscar-winning ‘My Octopus Teacher) is set to take us into the world of a South African pangolin named Kulu and the incredible bond Kulu formed with Gareth Thomas.

Gareth helped rehabilitate the little pangolin after a sting operation, and played an invaluable role in saving the life of a member of a species for whom the stakes have never been higher.

Like ‘My Octopus Teacher’, ‘Pangolin: Kulu’s Journey’ highlights the bond between one human and animal duo to tell a bigger story—that of the pangolin species’ plight.

Ancient, innocent and under threat, the pangolin family are at a critical juncture regarding their time on this planet; a position humans have largely put them in.

There’s little doubt that the doccie is going to call for tissues. But hopefully, after the heat of our emotions, we’ll all understand a little more about the animals who, despite their armoured appearance, need a lot more human intervention and care to protect their futures.

Watch: The Trailer for Pangolin: Kulu’s Journey’

Got Questions? Here’s Are Some Answers

Why are pangolins trafficked and why are so many poached?

The animal is largely poached for its scales, based on the unfounded belief that they have medicinal value in different cultures. There is no scientific evidence to support these beliefs.

Additionally, pangolin meat is considered a delicacy in parts of Asia.

As for why so many are poached, greed drives poachers, and if an animal is easy to catch (once it is found, of course), it’s signals a big pay day at the cost of a species.

Pangolins end up in the illegal wildlife trade without much resistance from the animal due to its shy and subdued in nature. This means that it does not take the offence when encountering danger (unlike other animals who will attack). Instead, the pangolin curls up into a ball of ‘armour’, which makes it an easy target for humans.

There are 8 different pangolin species across the world. Four are found on the Asian continent:

• Indian pangolin
• the Chinese (Formosan) pangolin
• the Malayan (Sunda) pangolin
• The Palawan (Phillipine) pangolin

Then, there are four species found in Africa:

• Temminck’s ground pangolin
• Giant ground pangolin
• Black-bellied pangolin
• White-bellied pangolin

How close are pangolins to being extinct?

Pangolins are ancient animals, so the thought of their extinction is jarring, to say the least. The species rank differently per the IUCN Red List (International Union for Conservation of Nature), but all are threatened, and all populations are reported as decreasing.

Critically Endangered:

• Chinese, Sunda and Philippine pangolins

Endangered:

• Indian pangolin, white-bellied pangolin, giant-ground pangolin

Vulnerable:

• Black-bellied pangolin
• Temminck’s ground pangolin

Sources: Various (Linked Above)

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Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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The director of ‘My Octopus Teacher ’, Pippa Ehrlich, is bringing us all another opportunity to step into the world of animals, this time on land with ‘Pangolin: Kulu’s Journey’ is the story of a rehabilitated South African pangolin.

South Africa (11 March 2025) — A new documentary is set to hit screens soon, and it’s one wildlife lovers won’t want to miss. Directed by Pippa Ehrlich (who also gave us the Oscar-winning ‘My Octopus Teacher’), the new doccie is dubbed ‘Pangolin: Kulu’s Journey’. And it’s set to tell a very important story—the pangolin’s.

By following one little South African pangolin named Kulu and Gareth, who helped rehabilitate her following a sting operation, the documentary hopes to hone in on the pangolin’s plight.

The pangolin is one of the most ancient animals in the world. It’s also the most-trafficked mammal of all time.

‘The wise old man of the bush’ in African folklore, due to its solitary and reclusive nature, the pangolin has long attracted human fascination. However, it wasn’t long until fascination turned into money-hungry eyes for many.

With eight known pangolin species split between Africa and Asia, the illegal wildlife trade has unfortunately had decades of field days. Some species are listed as critically endangered, while others aren’t far behind at vulnerable statuses.

The animal is largely poached for its scales, based on the unfounded belief that they have medicinal value.

Because the pangolin is shy and subdued in nature, it does not take the offence when encountering danger. Instead, it curls up into a ball of ‘armour’, which makes it an easy target for humans.

However, the more we know, the better we can do.

Pangolin: Kulu’s Journey, then, is a big step in telling a story that isn’t often told. And for it to be told by the talent that is Pippa Ehrlich could see it reach the world. The Pangolin Crisis Fund couldn’t be more thrilled to have partnered with Pippa on the new documentary and are encouraging everyone to mark their calendars for its release!

The doccie is set to come out on Netflix on 21 April.

Sources: Various (Linked Above)

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Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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Thanks to the amazing team at the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital, Peggy, Cleo, and Rachel, 3 female Temminck’s Pangolins, have been given a second chance at life.

Johannesburg, South Africa (05 December 2024) – A story of hope and conservation recently unfolded as 3 pangolins returned to the wild thanks to the passionate wildlife heroes at the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital.

Over the past month, they have had the privilege of releasing three female Temminck’s pangolins back into the wild—each one a testament to meticulous care, expert rehabilitation, and unwavering dedication.

These extraordinary creatures, named Peggy, Cleo and Rachel, are some of the most trafficked mammals on Earth. Now, the armoured wonders have a second chance to thrive where they belong.

A video shared online shows the trio undergoing medical assessments and treatment before being released into their natural habitat – a major feat that underscores the incredible impact of wildlife rehabilitation.

In 2022, the veterinary hospital received a massive investment into the work they do. As a result, they opened the first-ever dedicated Pangolin Veterinary Ward, with thanks to Investec at an undisclosed location.

The medical staff stresses the message that all pangolin patients are housed off-site at an undisclosed location to protect them and all the medical staff. Due to the animals being in high demand, they cannot risk anyone knowing where the animals are being treated.

“None of this would be possible without the support of those who share our vision—a future where no species is beyond saving.

“Your support is the backbone of our efforts. By committing to financial sponsorship, you ensure that stories like these continue to inspire and that the fight against wildlife trafficking remains strong,” thanks the Veterinary Hospital.

To join the nonprofit company in protecting the precious gems that are our wildlife, visit  https://www.johannesburgwildlifevet.com/make-a-donation.html

Sources: Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital

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Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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